Snow Crab  Chionoecetes opilio, C. bairdi, C. tanneri, C.japonicus  Opilio, Bairdi, Tanner, Spider Crab

With a sweet succulent taste and firm, flaky flesh similar to king crab, the meat is old cooked and frozen.  The Opilio and Bairdi crabs are found in Alaskan waters while the tanneri (tanner), or queen is found off the Atlantic coast of Canada. 

The Bairdi is the largest of the group weighing 5 Lbs. and measuring 3 feet from tip to tip. The Bairdi yields clusters weighing between 10 to 16 ounces.  (most Bairdi is exported to Japan)

The Opilio from Alaska is about half the size of the Bardi yielding clusters weighing about 8 ounces.  The Opilio from Canada run smaller at 3 to 8 ounces.

Spider (commercially called Queen crab) is caught off the coasts of Japan and Korea. It is sold to the unwary as King crab. It is sold in the U.S. frozen in 5 pound blocks. Its appearance is similar to the King crab, however, the legs are much thinner and softer than those of the King crab. Although it isn't as sweet as the Blue, King or Dungeness, it is suitable in casserole dishes. Thousands of pounds are sold in this country each year

Meat should smell fresh and taste sweet.  Exposed shoulder meat should  be creamy white.  The dorsal shell should be red and the ventral shell a light tan or brown.  The legs should be uniform in length.